Binding adapter plate

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to binding adapter plate for intermediate placement between the front and/or rear jaws of a ski binding and a ski. The binding adapter plate includes holes in the form of cylindrical bores which are dimensioned to receive fasteners for attaching the binding adapter plate and ski binding to the ski. An inner portion of the plate being movable relative to an outer frame portion of the plate when the ski flexes to relieve stress.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a binding adapter plate for the toeand/or heel piece of a ski binding. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a binding adapter plate which reduces the stress onthe binding attachment screws caused by the flexing or bending of theski, and which allows the ski binding to be mounted higher above thesurface of the ski.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

French patent publication No. 2,669,833 discloses the basic principle ofarranging a binding adapter plate as an intermediate layer between thefront jaws or rear jaws of a ski binding and the surface of a ski.Between the respective binding adapter plates in the front jaw part andin the rear jaw part a portion of the ski is not covered over by thebinding adapter plate. Such known binding adapters plates areessentially solid plate parts, which may have recesses in order to saveweight. In order to render possible adaptation of known binding adapterplates to the flexibility of the ski, several transversely extendingnotches are provided in the surface of the binding adapter plates. Inthe case of prior art binding adapter plates, the attachment screws,which extend through the intermediate arranged binding adapter plate toattach the ski binding to the ski, are subjected to an alternate loadingeffect due to flexing by the ski. The load on the attachment screwsincreases with the increase in the length and thickness of the bindingadapter plates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided abinding adapter device for providing an intermediate layer between a skiand a ski binding mounted on the ski. The binding adapter plate iscomprised of a relatively stiff outer structure and a relativelyflexible inner structure, and connecting means for connecting said outerstructure to the inner structure. The connecting means allows the outerstructure to move relative to the inner structure as the binding adapterdevice is flexed in response to flexing of the ski, to relieve stressapplied by the ski to the device.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided abinding adapter device for providing an intermediate layer between a skibinding and the surface of a ski comprised of a relatively stiff outerstructure having a frame section and a generally planar section, saidgenerally planar section having at least one hole for receiving afastener for fastening said adapter device to said ski, and a relativelyflexible inner structure. The inner structure is comprised of a tonguemeans integrally connected to said generally planar section and havingat least one hole for receiving a fastener for fastening said bindingadapter plate to said ski, said inner structure being movable relativeto said outer structure as the binding adapter plate is flexed inresponse to the flexing of the ski, to reduce stress applied by the skito the plate.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided abinding adapter plate for providing an intermediate layer between a skibinding and the surface of a ski, said binding adapter plate comprisedof a relatively stiff outer portion for contributing to support thebinding of the ski, and a relatively flexible inner portion. The innerportion is comprised of a plurality of ribs dimensioned to have a heightgreater than their width, at least one strip dimensioned to have a widthgreater than its height, and a plurality of holes for receivingfasteners for fastening said binding adapter plate to said ski. Theinner portion being movable relative to the outer portion as the bindingadapter plate is flexed in response to the flexing of the ski to relievestress applied by the ski to the plate.

According to another version of the present invention there is provideda binding adapter plate for providing an intermediate layer between aski binding and a ski, said binding adapter plate comprised of arelatively stiff outer portion, and a relatively flexible inner portionformed generally of a lattice, said inner portion comprised of alattice-like main body portion having at least one hole for receiving afastener for fastening said binding adapter plate to said ski, and alattice-like tongue means integrally connected to said main body portionand having at least one hole for receiving a fastener for fastening saidbinding adapter plate to said ski, said inner portion being movablerelative to said outer portion as the binding adapter plate is flexed inresponse to the flexing of the ski to relieve stress applied by the skito the device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a binding adapterplate that minimizes the stress on fasteners extending through thebinding adapter plate to attach the ski binding and binding adapterplate to the ski.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a bindingadapter plate having a relatively inflexible outer portion integrallyconnected to a relatively flexible inner portion which is in the form ofa tongue.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a binding adapterplate having a relatively flexible inner portion connected via ribs to arelatively stiff outer portion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a binding adapterplate constructed of a lightweight yet strong synthetic resin molding.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bindingadapter plate that allows the ski binding to be mounted at a positionhigher above the ski.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bindingadapter plate which allows for improved control of a ski.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bindingadapter plate which allows a skier to pivot a ski at a greater anglealong the longitudinal axis of the ski.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in this art from the following detailed description of preferredembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a binding adapterplate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section taken through the binding adapter platein accordance with FIG. 1 having a ski binding heel piece mountedthereon;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan of the binding adapter in accordance with FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section of the binding adapterplate mounted upon a flexed ski;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a binding adapterplate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section taken through the embodiment inaccordance with FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of a binding adapterplate in accordance with the present invention, and

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section taken through the embodiment inaccordance with FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 4 show a binding adapter plate or device 10 adapted foruse in conjunction with a ski binding heel piece. In this respect,binding adapter plate 10 is positioned between the ski binding heelpiece and the ski. Binding adapter plate 10 is comprised of a relativelyflexible inner structure or portion 24 and an outer structure or portion12, which is inflexible relative to the inner portion 24.

Outer portion 12 is comprised of a frame section 14 and a generallyplanar section 19. Frame section 14 includes lateral ribs that extenddownward from the peripheral edge of generally planar section 19. Alonga mid-section of the downward extending ribs a series of notches 15 areformed. Notches 15 allow the outer portion 12 to have some flexibilitywith respect to a ski on which the adapter plate 10 is attached.Generally planar section 19 is generally parallel to the ski.Reinforcing ribs 16 extend downward from and substantially perpendicularto the bottom surface of planar section 19. Ribs 16 have a heightgreater than their width. Generally planar section 19 also includes apair of holes 18 in the form of cylindrical bores. Holes 18 aredimensioned to receive fasteners (e.g., attachment screws) which attachbinding adapter plate 10 and a ski binding to a ski.

Inner portion 24 is comprised of a resilient tongue. The tongue includesa pair of holes 20 in the form of cylindrical bores. Holes 20 aredimensioned to receive fasteners (e.g., attachment screws) which attachbinding adapter plate 10 and a ski binding to a ski. Reinforcing ribs 16extend downward from and substantially perpendicular to the bottomsurface of the tongue. Ribs 16 have a height greater than their width.The tongue is positioned within an opening 22 and is integrallyconnected to generally planar section 19 of outer portion 12. Thelongitudinal axis of the tongue is parallel to the longitudinal axis ofbinding adapter plate 10. A corrugation 26 extends width-wise across thetongue to provide additional means for the tongue to flex. It will beappreciated that corrugation 26 is not a necessary component of theinvention, but is merely an additional means for providing flexibility.A ski binding heel piece 2 as mounted on adapter plate 10 is shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows binding adapter plate 10 mounted upon a ski as the ski isflexed. In this respect, inner portion 24 moves relative to outerportion 12. This occurs since outer portion 12 is relatively stiff andinflexible and inner portion 24 is relatively flexible. As inner portion24 moves relative to outer portion 12, holes 18 will move closer toholes 20, thus reducing the distance between the holes. In addition,corrugation 26 provides additional means for allowing the inner portion24 to move relative to outer portion 12 when the ski flexes. Thisrelative movement of the inner and outer portions prevents stress onfasteners attaching the adapter plate 10 and ski binding 2 to the ski.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.This embodiment of the invention is adapted for use in conjunction witha ski binding turntable heel piece. In this respect, binding adapterplate 10' is positioned between the ski binding heel piece and the ski.Binding adapter plate 10' is comprised of a generally rectangularrelatively inflexible outer structure or portion 14' and an innerstructure or portion 12', which is flexible relative to outer portion14'. Outer portion 14' provides stiff or rigid side walls that surroundinner portion 12'. In this respect, outer portion 14' provides arelatively stiff frame which surrounds inner portion 12.

Inner portion 12' is generally comprised of a lattice-like structurehaving a plurality of ribs 16' and a plurality of holes 32a, 32b and 32cin the form of cylindrical bores. Ribs 16' have a height greater thantheir width. Accordingly, ribs 16' are perpendicular to the generallyplanar surface of binding adapter plate 10'. Holes 32a, 32b and 32c,receive fasteners for attaching binding adapter plate 10' and a skibinding to a ski. Holes 32a, 32b and 32c are connected to each other byribs 16'. Ribs 16' also connect bores 32a and 32b to outer portion 14'.A strip 36 extends from cylindrical bore 32c to a rib 16' that extendstransverse to the longitudinal direction of binding adapter plate 10'.Furthermore, the width of strip 36 is greater than its height.Accordingly, strip 36 is arranged parallel to the generally planarsurface of binding adapter plate 10'.

The ribs 16' of inner portion 12' are arranged to allow inner portion12' to move relative to outer portion 14' when the ski that bindingadapter plate 10' is attached to is flexed. Accordingly, inner portion12', including holes 32a, 32b and 32c, move relative to outer portion14' as the ski bends. This reduces the stress placed upon fasteners,which extend through holes 32a, 32b and 32c to attach the bindingadapter plate 10' and the ski binding to the ski. In this respect, thestress applied by the binding adapter plate to the fasteners extendingthrough the holes, in response to the flexing of the ski, is reduced.Binding adapter plate 10' is preferably constructed of synthetic resinmolding.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.This embodiment of the invention is adapted for use in conjunction witha ski binding toe piece. In this respect, binding adapter plate 50 ispositioned between the ski binding toe piece and the ski. Bindingadapter plate 50 is comprised of a relatively inflexible outer structureor portion 60 and an inner structure or portion 70 flexible relative toouter portion 60. Outer portion 60 is generally rectangular in shape andprovides a relatively stiff or rigid outer frame surrounding innerportion 70.

Inner portion 70 is generally comprised of a lattice-like main bodyportion 72 and a lattice-like tongue portion 80. Tongue portion 80 ispositioned within an opening 76 and is integrally connected via ribs tomain body portion 72.

Both main body portion 72 and tongue portion 80 are comprised of ribs 78having a height greater than their width. Accordingly, ribs 78 areperpendicular to the generally planar surface of binding adapter plate50. Ribs 78 connect inner portion 70 to outer portion 60. A pair ofholes 74 in the form of cylindrical bores are formed among ribs 78 ofmain body portion 72. A single hole 82, in the form of a cylindricalbore, is formed among ribs 78 of tongue portion 80. Holes 74 and 82 aredimensioned to receive a fastener for attaching the binding adapterplate 50 and a ski binding to a ski.

Ribs 78 of main body portion 72 and ribs 78 of tongue portion 80 arearranged to allow inner portion 70 to move relative to outer portion 60when the ski to which binding adapter plate 50 is mounted flexes.Accordingly, holes 74 and hole 82 will move relative to outer portion60, as the ski bends. This reduces the stress on fasteners which extendthrough the holes 74 and 82 to attach binding adapter plate 50 and theski binding to the ski. As with the prior embodiments discussed above,binding adapter plate 50 is preferably constructed of synthetic resinmolding.

The foregoing embodiments of the present invention also allow a skibinding to be mounted at a position higher above the surface of a ski.Accordingly, a skier can pivot the ski at a greater angle along thelongitudinal axis of the ski. Thus, the present invention provides meansby which a skier can obtain enhanced control of a ski.

The above described embodiments of the binding adapter plate are foremployment as underlay plates or furthermore as binding guide plates.They participate in the bending of the ski to a very substantial extentwithout the fasteners extending through the binding adapter plateshaving to be subjected to a permanent load or stress owing to flexing ofthe ski. In this respect, the relatively flexible inner portion of thebinding adapter plate is connected to the relatively inflexible or stiffouter portion of the binding adapter plate in a manner which allows theinner portion to move relative to the outer portion as the bindingadapter plate is flexed in response to flexing of the ski, to relievestress applied by the ski to the binding adapter plate.

The present invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments. Other modifications and alterations will occur to thoseskilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the presentspecification. It is intended that all such modifications andalterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of theappended claims or equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A binding adapter plate for providing anintermediate layer between a ski and a ski binding mounted on the ski,said binding adapter plate comprising:a relatively stiff outerstructure; a relatively flexible inner structure integrally connected tosaid outer structure, said inner Structure including one or moreengaging surfaces for being engaged by fasteners to attach said plateand said ski binding to the ski, said engaging surfaces being flexibleas said inner structure flexes, and connecting means for integrallyconnecting said outer structure to said inner structure, wherein saidconnecting means allows said outer structure to move in the longitudinaldirection of the plate, relative to the inner structure, as the bindingadapter plate is flexed in response to flexing of the ski, to relievestress applied by the ski to said fasteners.
 2. The binding adapterplate of claim 1, wherein said device has a longitudinal axis and theinner structure is comprised of tongue means, wherein said connectingmeans connects said tongue means to said outer structure along adirection transverse to the longitudinal direction of said plate.
 3. Thebinding adapter plate of claim 1, wherein said inner structure iscomprised of a lattice-like portion and said connecting means are ribswhich join said inner portion to said outer structure.
 4. A bindingadapter plate for providing an intermediate layer between a ski bindingand the surface of a ski comprising:a relatively stiff outer structurehaving a frame section and a generally planar section, said generallyplanar section having at least one fastener engaging surface forreceiving a fastener for fastening said plate to said ski; and arelatively flexible inner structure integrally connected to said outerstructure, said inner structure comprising: tongue means integrallyconnected to said generally planar section and having at least onefastener engaging surface for engaging a fastener for fastening saidbinding adapter plate to said ski; said inner structure being movablerelative to said outer structure in the longitudinal direction of theplate, as the binding adapter plate is flexed in response to the flexingof the ski, when the ski bends to reduce stress applied by the ski tothe fastener.
 5. The binding adapter plate of claim 4, wherein saidtongue means has a corrugated portion extending in a directiontransverse to the longitudinal direction of the plate, and having alateral component for increasing the flexibility of said innerstructure.
 6. The binding adapter plate of claim 4, wherein saidgenerally planar section includes ribs.
 7. The binding adapter plate ofclaim 4, wherein said binding adapter plate is formed of synthetic resinmolding.
 8. A binding adapter plate for providing an intermediate layerbetween a ski binding and the surface of a ski, said binding adapterplate comprising:a relatively stiff outer portion for contributing tosupport the binding of the ski; a relatively flexible inner portion,said inner portion integrally connected to said outer portion, andcomprising: a plurality of ribs dimensioned to have a height greaterthan their width, at least one strip dimensioned to have a width greaterthan its height, and a plurality of fastener engaging surfaces forengaging fasteners for fastening said binding adapter plate to said ski,said inner portion being movable relative to the outer portion in thelongitudinal direction of the plate, as the binding adapter plate isflexed in response to the flexing of the ski, to relieve stress appliedby the ski to the fasteners.
 9. The binding adapter plate of claim 8,wherein said fastener engaging surfaces form a plurality of cylindricalbores.
 10. The binding adapter plate of claim 9, wherein at least one ofsaid plurality of cylindrical bores is connected to the outer portion bya rib.
 11. The binding adapter plate of claim 9, wherein at least one ofsaid plurality of cylindrical bores is connected to a rib by said atleast one strip.
 12. The binding adapter plate of claim 8, wherein saidbinding adapter plate is formed of synthetic resin molding.
 13. Abinding adapter plate for providing an intermediate layer between a skibinding and a ski, said binding adapter plate comprising:a relativelystiff outer portion; and a relatively flexible inner portion integrallyconnected to said outer portion, said inner portion comprising: a mainbody portion having a lattice structure and at least one fastenerengaging surface for engaging a fastener for fastening said bindingadapter plate to said ski, and a tongue means having a lattice structureand integrally connected to said main body portion and having at leastone fastener engaging surface for engaging a fastener for fastening saidbinding adapter plate to said ski; said inner portion being movablerelative to said outer portion in the longitudinal direction of theplate, as the plate is flexed in response to the flexing of the ski, torelieve stress applied by the ski to the fasteners.
 14. The bindingadapter plate of claim 12 wherein said fastener engaging surface is inthe form of a cylindrical bore.